Variety (June 1924)

Wednesday, June i, IMi PitYUK'rs' *".r " ;■ fvj- -•- ■' f"^' VARIETY tl "YANKEE CONSUL" DID $i500. BIG: mATEST LOVE OF ALL" $24,000 Stanley* Hiilly, Had Beban and Co. in Person, but Fell $6,000 Below ''Girl Shy"—Karlton Held MacLean Film for Full Wedc Philadelphia, Juna S. Moat of the picture bouae (roesea tumbled laat week, the continued bad weather ecu'Uer 1b the week and the flne Memorial Day credited with oauslns the drops. The Karlton, with "The Yankee Consul," was one of the few ox- cepUons, this Douglas Mact«an pic* ture catching the popular fancy. "The Yankee Consul," by the way, la the first feature at the Karlton In a month to be held through the week, the others being taken off after Friday night, and the follow- ing week's feature substituted Sat- jurday. The week's gross was not phenomenal, out a check-up shows about $4,500, the best figure the house has had since Blaster. The Stanley, after a month of top- notch business, topped by the re- markable two we«ks' gross of "Girl Shy," fell off considerably. The attraction was "The Greatest lAivt of All." with George Beban and his company of 24 appearing in I>er8on In an auxiliary sketch, In ad- dition to tho nim. This novelty helped tiie draw, and a continuation of the showing of the Phonofllm counted some more.. Gross for the week of $24,000 or a few hundred dollars over, showed the ditlerence. It marked a drop of tl.&OO from the preceding week, and of nearly $6,000 from the "Girl Shy" weeks. The Fox continued to limp rather badly, though claiming a small gain ©ver the previous week. Its picture feature was "Puritan Passions," and it was given the well-known rass In aome of the dailies. Nor was the mu- sical program (although very high class) of the kind likely to pull the multitude. The poor business came as added proof that Glenn Hunter, despite his success in stage engage- ments here, la not yet accepted as a film favorite. The biggest business dona by downtown houses (In proportion to the slse of the house) was at the droip-iB Victoria «n Blast Market •treet, which '-^ "Girl Shy" for its third downtown week. The same blcture was also ahown at the Logan, Colonial. Benn, Great North- ern, Leader and 69tb Street, and did Walloping big bnelnesa at all housaa. tt is undoubtedly the real aansatloii (and only one) of the spring. This week's high point is the Opening of "Beau Bnunmel" at the Aldlna for an indaflnlta engagement, ^e Monday evening: debut, attend- ed by most of the first-string critics, Was quite an affair. It odght to have iHtle trouble in running through June. Other pictures of tba week In- Eie "Why Men I/eava Home," «t Stanley, "Fair Week" at the Hon and "The Arisona Kzprees" et the Fox. Next Monday will find gnia. Mldnlghr at the Stanley and ^Threa Weekrf* at the Stanton. Estimates for last week: Stanley—"The Greatest Iioye of 4.11.** Oeorga Beban and company of 14 appeared in person, as wall as on kcreen. About $24,000 (4,000; t6-7E). Aldina—"Tha Ten Command- ments" (Paramount. 16th week). Blacked off some more in final week, hlbout 18,000. Bnga8«ment decided success, total gross t)alng estimated lat more than $16,000. '3eau Brum- mel." (1,600; $1.«.) Stanton—^"Trhimph" (Paramount, l«t week). DeMllle flUn created no •tlr, first weak gross being esti mated at less than $9,500. Two weeks in all; "Three Weeks" sua- ceeded. After that, house may close. (1.700; J5-76.) Fox—"Ptirltan Passions" (Hod- kinson). Not popular audience pic- ture. Gross around $12,760. (8,000; 89.) Arcadia—"The Enchanted Cot- tage" (First National, 3d week). Final week, and for house this sea- son. Gross slid off to $3,000 after two sensational weeks. (600; 60-75.) Karlton—"The Yankee Consul." Best house has had in «oup]e of months, and enjoyed real prosperity. In seven days (opened previous Sat- urday) about $5,250, or $-1,500 for •Ix days last week. (1,100; 60.) THEA. IH PLATTSBUBG, N, Y. Plattsburg, N. Y., June 3. Papers were passed a few nights ago assuring Plattsburg of a new theatre, with a seating capacity of 1,300, on the east side of the Masonic Hall. Relief Association property at BrinkerholT and Oak etroeU. Construction of the building will hegin Inside of a week, according to announcement by William E. chre^or'thK^^r^yf'-"^-^^-' ''ABRAHAM UNCOUTS" 1ST NAT! SHOWING Did $15,000 at MeU Washing- ton, but Exploitation Cost $6,000 Washington, June 3. It goes without saying that every First National exhibitor In the coun- try had his eyes turned toward Washington during the past week to see what would happen to the film •Abrahnm Lincoln." The failure of his picture in New York yj^ at- uibUitU <o tno presentation of the picture from the angle of its educa- tional value rather than as enter- tainment Ned Hohaoes, here to handle the exploitation of the film, expounded that theory during the private showing of the film prior to its opening at the Metropolitan here. They reversed the Idea here. They sold it as a regular picture and circused the town. Looks as if $6,000 or $7,000 was expended in the campaign carried on for about a -week and a half before the opening and throxighout the week It played the house. In spite of the-work done the pic- ture opened weak and ran along at a low figure until after Wednesday, when business took an unexpected and highly gratifying—at least to the house—Jump and finished strong. The Jump did not come, however, until after the "deadline" date, and another picture was booked In to follow instead of the "Uncoln" film beinc allotted the two waeka hoped for. If setting the figure for exploita- tion as low as $5,000, with a gross estimated at $15,000 at the moat leaves it a question as to the value of the pictura. Regular program stars draw from $11,000 to $14,000 whanavar appaarlnc at this house and without tha additional expendl- tura for advertising. With "Lin- coln" tha additional money was* only About half ffottan back In tha boosted gross. Tha other houaea all got a great break In tha wtfithar and no oppo- sition. This, of course, also worked to tha banaflt of "Abraham Unooln." There was no baseball and tha daily rains kept every one away from the outdoor parka. It grew cool toward tha and of tha week and that helped. Biitimatea for last week: Metropolitan—"Abraham Lincoln." First of tha Firat National bonsaa to play pictura. Qdaation as to value atUl unsattlad. Oroaa reached good $16,000. Pataca—"Tha Meanest Mas In tha World." As In other houses no op position and rain aided. Short auh JecU helped. About $12,000. Rialto—"Broadway After Dark." Much iMibllclty'through L. Honta Bell, former newspaperntan hara, directed picture. Bell was manag- ing editor of the "Herald" and also delved into the stock game for a while at the Garrick. Looked to have hit about $11,000. Columbia—"The Unknown Pur- ple." Along with tha Rialto got about same general amount, Colum- bia possibly getting smaller amount, due to lasser capacity. Jnat nnder $10,600. Tivoll—"Tha Dangerous Blonde." They, imylng guests, simply will not "♦-"" for matinees, although nights -fair constantly picking up. 000. About $10,- imma leonabd pictures Tha first three pictures of "Fly- ing Fists," a series of 12 two-raelers In which Benny Leonard is starred, ara now being titled by Sam Hell- man for Reputable Pictures. The pictures win shortly be released under the titles of "Ham and Egg- ers," "Making the Grade" and "Through the Rough." Leonard has suspended studla work for seven weeks, during which time he will defend his lightweight champlonahip crown. WARNERS' COMVENTIOM Savanty.flva Attend from Various Parta of Country Loa Angola^ Jimo t. Thera wara Ti attandlny tho War- ner Brothers oonventloB. atarting last Thursday and ending today. It la at tha Ambassador hotel, with all of tha executives in attend- ance aa waU aa tha different (tan- chlsa holders and distrlbutora from tha key eltlea All four of tha Wamar Brothara are here as well as their father, who cama here from hla home ia Ohio. The Naw York oBlca aent aa thalr delegation Sam Morris, Lon Younff and Pearl Keatlnc. Tha boainaaa ae as lona wara latar- esUng, aa tha 18I4-2C dlatrlbutloa program of N ralaaaea was dis- cussed. Niunaroua dlractora attended and told of tha technical part ot tha program and production. The matter of expk>itatiOB and advertising was also taken up. Ft-lday night a banquet, entertain- ment and danca waa given at tha atudio to the gvaats and the preaa. FBEE PASK PICTUEE8 Dallas, Tex., Juna S. The park board free pictures Will begin June 2 and will ba shown In 23 parks at a cost of about |4,200 for film rentals. The pictures, consisting of feature, animal and educational films, will be shown In each park three times a week, on dates to ba announced later. The free picturaa in the local parks ware shqwn to about 960.000 persons last year. Readying New Quiney House Quincey, ID, Juna I. Workmen are rushing completion of tha Washington Square theatre for opening June IS. It will be the most handsome movie house In this section of tha state. Ned Plcerno will direct the or- chestra and Baa Prince will be house manager. Miqua Coyna III Miqua Coyne, United Artists ox- cbanga manager In Atlanta, la in In tha Hotel Woodstock under the cara of physicians. Coyne cama to Now York to attend tha sales coofarenea of United Artists excbangea. It la axpaeted ha win ba up and about la tour or five daya Jamaa Horna Diraoting R. Talmadga Jamao Horna ia directing Richard Talmadga In tha tour pictures he win make on tha western coast. COLLEGE GLEE CLUB DD UmE IN K. C.-NEW TROUr NEXT **Girl Shy" Holds Up—**Dorolhy Vernon" Doesn't— ''Huttdiback" Indifferent on Pop Return Date- Last Week's Estimates BOOKING eOHPLETE aiOWSFOR$7AND$10 Competition Among Distribu- tors Approximates War— 9 Specials for $54 Atlanta, Juna t. An orgy of "throat-cutting" among distrlbutora •» picturaa la going on in this section ot tha coun- try. . Thirty or more exchanges, of- fering pictures between here and New Orleans, have engaged In a price-cutting war that permits ex- hibitors In good slsed towns, and with good theatres, to book a com- plete show at from $7 to $10. More than loo salesmen, repra- aentlng the distributors, are en- gaged in tha strife. As a result, the exhibitors select only tha big auccesses, refusing to buy tha In- ferior Stllff. Tha exhibitors, here and there In this section, have formed booking combines that brings them even bat- ter prices than the war prices show. One exchange offered nine spe- cials for $64 with the choice of a weekly, or scenic, gratia. CHIGAOO FILK FOR B'WAT {'The Whipping Boss," produced by Chicago capitalists headed by Andrew C^allaghan, and based on the Talbot whipping scandal in Florida, will ba shown on Broad- way when arrangements have been completed for a theatre. A well-known cast appears in tha picture. Norman E. FiaM'a Foreign Vaoation Chicago. Juna S. Normraa E. Flelda, general man- ager for Jonea, LInick tt Bcbaefer, Is sailing for Europe, where he wlU remain until August. THIEP HOLDS UP IN BOSTON; 1X)MMANDMENrS'' IN CONTRAST Suggestions Not to Send "Commandments" Into Boston's Picture Houses Too Quickly—^Would Kill All Speciak Thore Boston, Juna t. "Tha Thief of Bagdad" at tha Colonial oa tha fourth weak has ahown mora real sustained strength ia tha three weeks that It haa pUyad hara than any other feature picture in town this season. The first weak tha business went close to $18,000, admitted abnormal and more han the picture could expect to carry. The second week It did $16,800 and for the third week. Just past, the picture did just a bit over $16,000. At the Colonial, a house which under normal conditions'would have a musical show at this Urns of year, the picture Is doing a really remark- able business. The going should be easier from now on because of the departure of "The Ten Command- ments" from the Tremont. So far the weatlier here has been ideal for indoor entertainment. "T^e Ten Commandments," booked in here as a picture that would sweep the local picture fol- lowers off their feet and would be able to last out the summer at the Tremont, turned out to be more or lees of aflzxle. For a few weeks during Lent tho picture did clean CHABLES CHEISTIE HEBE Charles Christie, who releases his two-reelers through Educational and his features through Hodkinson, j up but then it developed over night is in New York seeking suitable almost considerable weakness and stage material for the screen. has slipped steadily right along. Hodkinson will shortly release With the opening "Hold Your Breath," starring Doro- thy , Devore, a Christie feature- ^j ^u-Fremont tho picture did abmrt Modern tefagih comedy. ' i$!7lW0'.'' Th^ was WM**'atf Of -Whwt* »)lct of tha Fair banks picture the slip became a determined slump and the last week the aama picture did for a week when it started out. If tha mistake of booking It Into tho lower priced houaea toe soon is now made, Boa- tonlana wonld ba off for Ufa of a feature picture at tha scale this one carried. Tha holding over of "Men" at the Fenway proved an error. The pic- ture was not strong enough to hold over for a second week and did about $7,600 for the last week. It did about $9,000 for the first weak. Even at that money the picture could not be rated such a hit as to call for a holdover. It would have been a better proposition to keep to the house policy of weekly change of bill—as most pictures playing this house will do $7,600 or batter for a week. "Three Week" flattened at the Park on the second week and was pulled. It dropped off about $3,000 in business for the second week, as compared with the first, aumg $6,000 last week. It started off well but could not stand up. Last week's estimates: "The Thief of Bagdad"—Colonial: Did $16,000 last week, with 13 per- formances and still going strong. "Blind Husbands"—Park: House returns to a popular price policy for balance ot summer with this picture. Final week, "Three Weeks- did $6,000. Fenway—"Wandering Husbands: Second week of Pola Negri picture, "Three Weeks" not so good, $7,500 being garnered. State—"Racing Luck" this week, and Beacon—Tom Mix ure, "The Trouble .ShAoter.v. Kanaaa City, Juna S. Tha remarkable manner in which "Oirl Shy* hald up oa lU aaoood waak at tha Royal waa tha out- atandlnf faatura la film eirolaa laat waak. It waa tha firat tlioa « Lloyd pletura bad aver played a Nawman housa. Dolac over $1I,0M for tho flrat Bavan days, tt oUekad around IS.0M tor tha aaooad weak. Whaa tho small oapaolty ot tho houaa—tlO—la takan Into oonsldara- tion. tha bottao boat avarythlng In tha city. Held over tlUrd w^sak. Tha ratiwn aagagamant of "Tha Hunchhhck" at tha Llharty did not craata wnuanal Intaraat. Tha plo- turo had been ahown la this bouaa tor tour waaka at ILM top aaiiy In tha aaaaoB and fsatorod at otbar houaea In tha raaldaatial aootloa. Its aueoaaa aa a oomaback at popu- lar prlcaa—lO-SO w a a proMamatl- oaL H opanad tataiy waU but busi- naas tallad to build and tho waak'a sroaa was ordinary. Tho Nawmaa bualnaao with "Tha Yankao Coaanl" and tho Univarslty of California Qiao Club atowngly featured, did not hit tho a^^aotad mark ia tha way ot racalpts. ITor soma raaaoB tho coQaciaaa flUlod to ba tha draw axpaeted. Tha Malnstraat, with Ita faaturo plotura and Orphaum vaudeville, contiiteaa to pull 'am and last waak'a picturaa "Tho Whlta Moth." waU liked by tho cuatomara. Capaotty bualnaaa waa tha raault at moat ot tho avaning parformaaeaa. "Dorothy Varaoa," aaoond woak at tho lata (thrao mDaa from tha downtown distrlet), alumpad about U par cent from its first waak'a bualnaaa. Tha pletura waa strongly advartlaad and waa clran nnuaroua raadlnc noUoao la tM Kanaaa City "Star," but tha hnalaaaa did nol matorlallaa aa atrong aa oxpoetad. Tha pletura haa baaa hOd tbr tha third waak. and tbo |1.H top ro- talnad. Thia waak haa all tha managars guaaalng. It la tba data of tho an- nual Shrlno ooBvaotlon. Whllo IM,- 000 vlaltoro ara axpoetod. aomo havo already eommanoad to arrive, no one can pradlet whether any will visit a picture houaa. Starting Friday, tha Nawmaa wIU preeent lU fifth annual revue. Mil- ton H. Feld, manager of the New- man houses, has engaged Irene Franklin to head the performance. The cast will also Include Rita Owen, Lloyd Garret, Jlmmle Dunn and other entertainers. The new and enlarged stage will I>e used for the first time. Laat Week's Eatimateei Newman—"The Yankee Conaul" (Thomas Ince). (1080; 66-7C). Douglas MacLean. University of California Olee Club—20 youthful singers, dancers and musicians, added enterUlnment Singing an- nouncement for the theatre'a anni- versary IroUc starting June •. Fans and reporUra liked this comedy. "Men" looked like poor manage- ment to put this picture In against "OIrt Shy" at the Royal. Newman's second beat, but did not hurt thingt for the little one. Around $11,500. rc'Vyj''""*"" "by (Pathe). (890; 66-76) Seeond week and business started Sunday hut little off from opener. Severe storm out Into Tu««day buslneaa. after which it built up again for close to $8,000. Liberty—"The Hunchback" (Uni- versal-Jewel). (1,000; 60). Return shown for four weeks earlier In sea- son at $1.60 top, and then sent Into resldentials. Comeback satisfactory to Liberty management, although business failed to bold up and gross around $4,000. Mainstreet—"The White Moth" (Flrat National). (10-60). Five acta of big time vaudeville made bill an- other bargain event. Near $13,600. Isia—"Dorothy Vernon" (United Artists). (1,475; $1.60). Second week on Initial showing In Kansas City. Top appeared mostly for ad- vertising purposes as but few seats held out for that figure. Second Sunday but little off from opener but huslnens slacked with total only reaching $4,700, according to official Information. Opposition first runs—"Sherlock. Jr.," Pantages: "Gold Madnees." Globe. Summer Subscription for VARIETY 3 months, $1.75 Mail name and sddroM to VAHIETT, 154 Weit Mtk ttnst,^ Nev York City* : -' gj, ' ^ri h Lit t'cm